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I Wander the Desert Alone

Utah sun bakes barren soil. This morning, the river trickled. Now the water has vanished. Dry pools with salt crusted rims smell of thirst. Red canyon walls reflect the heat. I rest in the shade of the lone cottonwood, but not too long: I must reach the spring. I strain to imagine the oasis: lush green ferns will tumble down the cliff where the water bursts from the sandstone into a clear pool. How I will drink! September 28, 2018 For contest: I wander the desert alone Sponsored by Edward Ibeh

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Paul Callus

Date: 12/13/2018 10:01:00 AM

Your poem makes me want to wander in this desert land, Agnes. Thirst and hot rock can be happily tolerated, as long as there is the knowledge that water and shade are awaiting! Regards // paul

Susan Ashley

Date: 11/10/2018 2:02:00 PM

The beauty and spirit of this special place is enlivened by your stirring imagery. Superb poetry, Agnes. Warmest wishes.. ~Susan

Debbie Walker

Date: 10/12/2018 2:40:00 PM

Without the picture the imagery still stands out. I love it. I love this poem.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 10/14/2018 5:02:00 PM

Thank you, Debbie.

Line Gauthier

Date: 10/6/2018 7:52:00 PM

Well penned, Agnes.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 10/14/2018 5:02:00 PM

Thanks, Line.

Bernard Chan

Date: 10/2/2018 8:55:00 PM

Exquisite lines, Agnes, especially the salt crusted rims smelling of thirst and the ferns tumbling down the cliff. I love this poem :)

Agnes Krampe
Date: 10/14/2018 4:59:00 PM

Thank you, Bernard.

Arthur Vaso

Date: 10/1/2018 11:46:00 PM

Very beautiful, do you walk there?

Agnes Krampe
Date: 10/2/2018 8:54:00 AM

I do walk in the desert as often as I can. Since we are 18 hours drive away, that means we can only visit once a year, or every other year.

Michelle Faulkner

Date: 10/1/2018 2:25:00 PM

I just love the lines 'salt crusted rims/smell of thirst' and 'I must reach the spring' - you write beautiful free verse!

Agnes Krampe
Date: 10/2/2018 8:54:00 AM

Thank you, Michelle.

Ifeanyi Obinefo

Date: 9/30/2018 11:01:00 PM

A wonderful poem. it touched my heart

Agnes Krampe
Date: 10/2/2018 8:52:00 AM

Thank you for your visit

Line Gauthier

Date: 9/29/2018 10:59:00 PM

Lovely, Agnes.

Agnes Krampe
Date: 10/2/2018 8:49:00 AM

Thank you, Line.

Arturo Michael

Date: 9/29/2018 8:35:00 AM

You'll drink to your hearts content...you just got to make it there...All the best Agnes

Agnes Krampe
Date: 9/29/2018 6:04:00 PM

Thank you, Arturo. One quite obsesses about water in the desert

Andrea Dietrich

Date: 9/28/2018 9:17:00 PM

ahh, I see you have been to this great state I reside in (this is a thing I have not done in all my years here) I have not cared to visit the canyon parks! I've seen them but not walked or hiked through them though we did sand dune riding down south which I really enjoyed. Have you seen Bridal Veil Falls in Provo area . I have hiked several mountains in my area and I bet you'd love them. Very nice poem!

Agnes Krampe
Date: 9/28/2018 9:27:00 PM

Thanks, Andrea. I love, love, love the Utah desert! We backpacked Coyote Gulch, Black Canyon, Death Hollow, Zion Narrows, the San Raffael Swell, hiked slots near Escalante and Hanksville. Fantastic. My favorite NP is Capitol Reef (that's where the pic was taken) - far fewer tourists than Arches or Zion.